Sailors have welcomed a crackdown on people who own more moorings than boats.

The enforcement of the “one boat, one mooring” rule by the Government aims to tackle the problem of people making a profit from extra spots.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport said: “If someone owns three boats and all are registered with [the Department of] Marine and Ports, they can own three moorings.

He added: “Owning one boat and multiple moorings is not allowed.”

The spokesman said the policy had been in place for some time.

Boat owner Ben Outerbridge agreed that enforcement of the policy was reasonable.

He said: “I only heard about it within the last month or so. I suppose it makes sense.

“If you own a boat but can’t get a mooring and there’s someone else who has ten moorings and no boat, that wouldn’t feel very fair.

“There’s only so much space, so I understand the frustrations.”

Another sailor added: “I don’t think it’s new. I think it’s just that it’s finally being enforced.”

He said there were people who paid a series of small fees to get several moorings and rented them to other boaters for a profit.

He added: “People shouldn’t be making financial gains like that.

“Most places are full and there are people who can’t find a mooring anywhere.

“I think it’s a good thing that Marine and Ports is actually cracking down on this stuff.”

The ministry spokesman said the law on moorings had not changed.

However, he did not respond to questions on whether the Government had adopted a get-tough policy for owners of multiple moorings.

The spokesman also warned boat owners to keep up to date with their mooring fees or risk loss of their anchorages.

He explained: “Boat mooring owners that have not paid their annual fee are sent a late notice requesting payment, plus a late fee, within 30 days.

“If payment is not received, the owner risks the mooring being cancelled.

The spokesman said between 200 and 250 notices of non-payment were issued every year.